Parent's Review of QSI Shekou in Shekou
What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)
QSI Shekou
In what town or city is this school located?
Shekou
How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)
American, International.
What grade levels are represented at this school?
Pre-K through grade 12.
How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)
If they live in Jingshan (popular expat housing compound) they walk. Otherwise, bus.
How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?
The buildings are falling apart, but there is enough. Pretty large gym, etc. Not too many extra curricular activities.
What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?
The only grades are "A"s and "B"s, so gifted children are ignored because getting straight As is so easy, and the kids who have trouble and would normally fail get straight Bs and are also looked on as gifted, just so the school doesn't need to pay for extra help. They will also give a diploma to anyone if they sit in a chair for 12 years and stare at a wall, just to get rid of them. This makes the transition back to their home countries or better schools very difficult. Also, despite the many drug, alcohol and severe bullying problems in the middle and high school, every person in admin. insists that the school is perfect and refuses to listen to criticism.
How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?
There is a parent-teacher organization, but it doesn't do much.
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?
Do not! However, it is a much better choice than the incompetent school across the street- Shekou International School. If you have to choose between QSI and SIS, go with QSI, but I have to recommend not doing either. Your child will be verbally or physically abused by peers at either, and there is a good chance they could get their hands on alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
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Comments about this Report
guestAlthough in QSI, the only grades are A & B, but you will have to work very hard to be able to get it, otherwise your grade will remain in P which means pending, and with grade P, you won't be able to get credit for that subject. They are doing so to make sure that every student have chances to work harder to improve themselves, and will have motive to catch on; which is not a bad idea. Most of the teachers are very experienced and enthusiastic, my two kids said that the teaching attitude made them want to study harder. School are trying hard to make sure that students can have as many activities as they would like to have.
guestSO outdated and not true if ever! I had one child graduate and one still in the high school and there is NO alcohol, tobacco, or drug problems much less any abuse. Most teachers are first-rate and of course there are a few duds, as in any school. School is working on improving academics and making the B's (mastery) harder to attain. Campus OK but am excited they are building a huge new state-of-the-art building for all grades within 2 years! New parent organization - still on it's baby legs but getting better. Choosing QSI? May not be perfect, but if you think that's what you want, go back to the States!
guestQSI Shekou is much better than this article is making it seem. Kids get a great experience at QSI, whether it's during school, or in afterschool activities- which there are many of. Extracurricular activites include art club, health club, MUN, sports, drama, etc. Any student can volunteer an idea to make a new club, which, with enough support, will be made. There are many sport choices available like basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, track and field, badmittion, tennis, etc.
guestJust to clear things up: QSI has had serious drug and alcohol problems with the upper school student body in the past, including some teachers! Parents claiming otherwise are either in denial or just plain blind. My children did fine academically, and were actually ahead when we returned to the US, but they would have been anyway, no matter where they attended school. Luckily, we got them OUT of QSI before something terribly drastic happened (with the drugs and bullying.) This was several years ago, but there was a lot of bullying and drug use.
